Written Answers Nos. 521-540
521. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the reason for the refusal of a discretionary medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28206/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
522. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding medication charges. [28211/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs announced in Budget 2014, it was necessary to increase the prescription charge due to the very difficult and challenging economic environment which requires the Government to achieve additional savings in health expenditure with €619 million of savings targeted in 2014. The increase in prescription charges will account for €43 million of this target. The Government is committed to achieving these savings while protecting front line services to the most vulnerable to the greatest extent possible.
523. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to ensure that life-saving adrenaline autoinjectors are available in emergency cases, similar to the defibrillator system with trained first responders; the steps being taken to alter the law in this regard to ensure that no further tragedies occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28212/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra536. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will review the present law and policy architecture regarding food allergies; if he will follow the US and UK models in this area; if he is considering new guidelines for the dispensing of emergency epinephrine autoinjectors at pharmacies and making them mandatory in restaurants and other places where the public consume food or congregate in large numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28279/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra554. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health his plans to make adequate provision for the potential life-saving availability of an epi-pen without prescription in emergency situations, with particular regard to the circumstances of the sudden and tragic death of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28384/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra579. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will consider introducing emergency legislation either by ministerial order or statutory instrument that will allow a potentially life-saving anaphylaxis pilot initiative, the first responder anaphylaxis autoinjector programme at UCC, to go ahead. [28474/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra580. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will look again at introducing a scheme to make epi-pens available in schools, workplaces and other public places, similar to the provision of defibrillators; and if he will introduce a scheme to train volunteers as first responders. [28475/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra581. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the outcome of his examination of the possibility of amending the prescription and control of supply regulations to facilitate the wider availability of adrenaline pens without a prescription in emergency situations. [28476/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 523, 536, 554 and 579 to 581, inclusive, together.
Adrenaline pens, as injectable medicines, may only be supplied on foot of a valid prescription. However, there is provision in the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003 (as amended) which permits pharmacists, advanced paramedics, paramedics and emergency medical technicians, in emergency circumstances, to supply certain prescription only medicines including adrenaline injections without a prescription. My Department is currently examining the feasibility, taking account of policy and patient safety considerations, of amending the Prescription Regulations to facilitate wider availability of adrenaline pens in emergency situations, by persons trained in the administration of these pens.
This is a complex area and includes consideration of a wide range of issues such as appropriate training, including in the identification of anaphylaxis, conditions attached to use of the adrenaline pen, product availability and product shelf life. My Department is working closely with the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) on these issues, including consideration of the UCC proposal referred to by Deputy Adams.
524. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the number of discretionary medical cards that have been removed in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28214/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
525. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of retired Health Service Executive and-or Department of Health employees who have been re-employed by the health service under new contracts; the posts concerned and the value of payments in each post; the steps being taken to reduce this number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28218/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring the twelve month period 30th June 2013 to date four former staff members of my Department (2.2 wholetime equivalents) who had previously retired were employed in the Department in line with a Government Decision on the arrangements for dealing with our EU Presidency requirements. These officers had experience and expertise that was essential to a successful Presidency for Ireland in the important area of Health Policy. The fixed term contracts of employment in each of these cases terminated as soon as our Presidency tasks were discharged. In addition, an ex-Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Area Health Board was employed as my Special Adviser on a two thirds basis. The pensions of all these staff were subject to pension abatement rules.
For ease of reference the information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Grade |
Annual Salary Rate at time of Re-employment |
Period of Employment |
|
1 Principal Officer (50% of full time) |
€40,025 |
02 July 2012 to 31 July 2013 |
|
2 Assistant Principal Officers (50% of full time) |
€30,983 |
02 July 2012 to 31 July 2013 |
|
1 Assistant Principal Officer (70% of full time) |
€43,376 |
01 October 2012 to 31 July 2013 |
|
1 Special Adviser (66% of full time) |
€61,784 |
22 February 2012 to 16 August 2013 |
With regard to the Health Service Executive and the Non-Commercial State Agencies, they have been asked to collate the data sought as soon as possible and it will be provided directly to the Deputy by them when available.
526. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his view on the effectiveness of anti-smoking initiatives taken to date, given that the smoking ban, the ban on packaging of ten cigarettes and the non-display of cigarettes in outlets appear to have had minimal effect on the rates of smoking; the way he envisages that plain packaging will lead to a significant reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28220/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's policy on smoking is to promote and subsequently move toward a tobacco free society. Contrary to the Deputy's assertion, the cumulative effect of Ireland's tobacco control legislation to date has been a decrease in the number of people smoking. In 2013, the National Tobacco Control Office reported that 21.5% of Irish adults smoked (22.9% men and 20.2% women). This represents a decline of 2.2% since 2010, and a decline of 7.5% since 2007 when the last comprehensive large scale study on smoking prevalence in Ireland was undertaken (SLAN study).
Two of the initiatives specifically mentioned by the Deputy, the ban on packets containing less than 20 cigarettes and the ban on the display and advertising of tobacco products, were specifically aimed at young people and the research bears out their success. Data on smoking among school-aged children indicates a clear downward trend. The Irish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Survey (2010) found that 27% of children reported that they had ever smoked tobacco - a 9% decrease from the 2006 Survey. There was a reduction of 9.2% in the number of children who said they were current smokers; 80% of 15 to 17 year olds said they do not smoke and nearly 90% of 12 to 17 year olds do not smoke.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that ten years after the ban on smoking in the workplace, there is now concrete evidence of its effectiveness. Research has found that the ban resulted in 3,726 fewer smoking related deaths than would have been expected if the ban had not been brought in. The smoking ban was also associated with a number of immediate reductions in ill-health in the general population:
- an immediate 13% decrease in all-cause mortality
- a 26% reduction in ischaemic heart disease
- a 32% reduction in stroke, and
- a 38% reduction in COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
It is important to state that the introduction of standardised packaging is just one of a suite of measures that are being and will be implemented in Ireland to reduce the number of people smoking and as such this initiative should not be looked at in isolation. Tobacco Free Ireland, the latest policy document in the area, sets a target for Ireland to be tobacco free by 2025. In practice, this will mean a smoking prevalence rate of less than 5%. Tobacco Free Ireland addresses a range of tobacco control issues and initiatives and contains over 60 recommendations, including the introduction of standardised packaging of tobacco products. I am confident that the measures outlined in Tobacco Free Ireland will further reduce the numbers of people, young and old, smoking in Ireland.
527. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he is confident that plain packaging will reduce the illegal cigarette trade and not increase further the black market trade in illegal cigarettes; if he has had any engagement with other agencies and Departments on tackling this illegal trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28221/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to assure the Deputy that I am confident that the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 will have a positive impact on health and is a proportionate measure. As the Deputy may be aware, the tobacco industry has argued that standardised or plain packs would be easier to forge and would lead to growth in illicit trade of tobacco products. However, the Revenue Commissioners have advised me that they are satisfied that the standardised packaging legislation will not have a significant impact on their work in relation to illicit trade in tobacco products. The Revenue Commissioners have advised that the tax stamp is a key means for them to distinguish between legal and illegal products, irrespective of the way in which the cigarettes are packaged. Tax stamps will remain a fixture on tobacco products following the introduction of standardised packaging, and contain all features possible to minimise the risk of counterfeiting.
Combating the illegal tobacco trade is, and will continue to be, a high priority for the Revenue Commissioners. They have extensive cooperation with An Garda Síochána in combating the illicit trade, and in addition, cooperation takes place with other revenue administrations and with the European Anti-Fraud office, OLAF, in the ongoing programmes at international level to tackle the illicit trade. Research carried out by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, in conjunction with the HSE National Tobacco Control Office, indicates that contraband represents the majority of illicit cigarettes and not counterfeit products. Figures from 2013 indicate that the proportion of smokers classified as having an illegal pack was 12%, representing a decrease of 4% since 2009. These findings indicate that the level of consumption of illicit product is being contained, although Revenue remains determined to confront the illegal trade in tobacco products, to optimise levels of seizures of illicit tobacco product and to pursue those found to be involved in this illegal activity.
In addition to this the 2014 EU Tobacco Products Directive sets out provisions to be adopted by Member States in relation to traceability and security features of tobacco products. Tobacco products will be marked with a unique identifier and security features. This will allow for their movements to be recorded and for such products to be tracked and traced throughout the EU. This will also facilitate the verification of whether or not tobacco products are authentic.
Following Government approval, Ireland's Permanent Representative to the United Nations signed the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, adopted by the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), in New York on 20th December 2013. The new international treaty is aimed at combating illegal trade in tobacco products through control of the supply chain and international cooperation. As a key measure, Parties commit to establishing a global tracking and tracing system to reduce and eventually eradicate illicit trade.
In view of the above it is anticipated that illicit trade of tobacco will not increase as a result of the introduction of standardised packaging.
528. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to any evidence of international best practice in the context of plain cigarette packaging, apart from Australia; to what extent this evidence has been incorporated into the new Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28222/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for her question, which gives me the opportunity to draw my colleagues' attention to the wealth of evidence available to support the introduction of standardised packaging of tobacco products. In preparing the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014, my Department commissioned an international expert in the field, Prof. David Hammond, to carry out an Evidence Review on Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products. Prof Hammond's review found that the evidence on standardised packaging has rapidly evolved and is now notable for its breadth and diversity. Research has been conducted in 10 different countries, using a range of methodologies, including consumer perceptions, eye-tracking technology, neuroimaging, measures of consumer demand and behavioural tasks.
Prof Hammond's review unequivocally found that tobacco packaging is a critically important form of tobacco promotion, particularly in countries like Ireland which have comprehensive advertising and marketing restrictions. The evidence showed that standardised packaging:
- reduces false beliefs about the risks of smoking,
- increases the efficacy of health warnings,
- reduces consumer appeal among youth and young adults, and
- may promote smoking cessation among established smokers.
Overall, Prof Hammond found that there is very strong evidence that standardised packaging would be effective with regard to four of Ireland's tobacco control policy objectives, namely:
- preventing children and young people from starting to smoke,
- encouraging current smokers to quit,
- reducing the risk of those who have quit from relapsing, and
- encouraging the denormalisation of smoking in society, thereby protecting children from the marketing practices of the tobacco industry.
Two systematic reviews of the research evidence covering 54 studies were published by Moodie et al in 2012 and in 2013. These reviews, and other studies, suggest that standardised packaging can:
- Reduce the appeal of tobacco products, for both adults and children.
- Increase the noticeability, recall and impact of health warning messages; and
- Reduce the ability of packaging to mislead consumers into believe that some products are less harmful than others.
Moodie's review concluded that the evidence shows that standardised packaging: “has the potential to contribute to reductions in the harm caused by tobacco smoking now and in the future”. In the UK, Sir Cyril Chantler's independent review on Standardised packaging of tobacco also indicated overwhelming support for the measure. In reviewing the evidence, Sir Chantler made a connection between exposure to tobacco advertising and promotion and the likelihood of taking up smoking, particularly among children. He concluded that branded packaging contributes to increased tobacco consumption. In his judgment, the evidence shows that standardised packaging is very likely to have a positive impact on public health by causing “a modest but important reduction over time on the uptake and prevalence of smoking”.
A year on from the introduction of plain packaging in Australia, we have a limited amount of research on the effects of the policy. One study found that following the introduction of plain packaging and larger pictorial warnings on packs, smoking in outdoor areas declined by 23%. It also found that personal pack display (where packs are clearly visible on tables) declined by 15%, particularly in venues where children were present. Another Australian study found a 78% increase in the number of calls to the smoking cessation helpline. This increase was due to the introduction of plain packaging. The researchers found it was not attributable to other causes, such as anti-tobacco advertising or cigarette price increases.
The UK has now announced that it is minded to introduce regulations to provide for standardised packaging following a short consultation. This consultation was initiated on 26th June. As the Deputy will be aware, Australia was the first country in the world to introduce this measure in December 2012 and we are in on-going contact with our Australian colleagues to ensure our initiative benefits from their experience. New Zealand initiated the legislative process to introduce standardised packaging in February 2014, and Scotland has also indicated its intention to follow suit.
529. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Health in respect of the World Health Organization's report on the overuse of antibiotics, if vigorous and urgent actions are in place in Ireland as well as in conjunction with other countries to deal with this threat. [28235/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is universally recognised at global, European and national levels as one of the greatest potential threats to human and animal health with possible serious consequences for public health. The emergence of resistance is a normal biological phenomenon, but the extensive use, misuse and overuse of antimicrobials (antibiotics) in both human and animal health have increasingly raised levels of antimicrobial resistance – in all countries and in patients of all age groups; with increasing travel and trade, drug resistance can spread rapidly. The societal and financial costs of treating antimicrobial-resistant infections places a significant burden on society and patients infected with drug-resistant organisms are more likely to remain in hospital for a longer period of time and to have a poor prognosis.
Ireland welcomes and has supported the leadership and work of the WHO over many years in addressing the impact of the overuse of antibiotics, specifically the work of the WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Antimicrobial Resistance which recommends that the WHO should lead the development and coordination of a global action plan on antimicrobial resistance and the publication in April 2014 by the Organisation of its first global report on antibiotic resistance: Antimicrobial Resistance Global Report on Surveillance 2014. Ireland and the EU fully supported the passing of the AMR Resolution at the WHO's 67th World Health Assembly in May 2014 which stressed the need for global action under WHO leadership.
In Ireland the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and AMR has been a significant patient safety and public health priority for the Department of Health for several years. A wide range of initiatives has been put in place in the Irish health system over several years including improved surveillance of infections and prescribing, infection prevention and control processes, antimicrobial stewardship initiatives, public and professional awareness raising and with a significant emphasis on the education and training of healthcare professionals.
The HSE has implemented a number of national initiatives in the control and prevention of Health Care Associated Infections (HCAIs) (which arise in part from the overuse of antibiotics) for a number of years, including:
- SARI 2001-2010 (The Strategy for the Control of Antimicrobial Resistance in Ireland) which specifically outlined the national strategy for prevention of AMR and was launched by the Minister of Health in 2001.
- HSE 'Say No to Infection' which focused on both HCAIs and AMR, launched in 2007
- The RCPI (Royal College of Physicians of Ireland) & HSE National Clinical Programme for the prevention and control of HCAIs and AMR which commenced in late 2010 to provide expert advice nationally
- Public reporting of HCAIs and AMR in Irish acute hospitals
- HCAIs Prevalence Study 2006 and 2012
- S. aureus bloodstream infection (reported quarterly since 2007) – this includes public reporting of MRSA rates per hospital
- Alcohol hand rub consumption (reported bi-annually since 2007)
- Antibiotic consumption (reported bi-annually since 2007)
- Hand hygiene compliance (reported bi-annually since 2011)
Ireland reports to the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (EARS-Net) and to ESAC, the European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption in Europe. All Irish hospital labs participate in EARS-Net, representing 100% coverage of the population.
The overall aim of the National Clinical Programme for the prevention and control of HCAIs and AMR, referenced above, is that every healthcare worker and all parts of the healthcare system recognise that the prevention and control of HCAIs and AMR is a key element of clinical and non-clinical governance. Our healthcare systems have processes in place to ensure safe healthcare is reliably delivered irrespective of the healthcare setting. The programme focuses on getting three basic practices right every time we care for our patients, these are hand hygiene, using antimicrobials appropriately (antimicrobial stewardship) & preventing medical device-related infections i.e., IV lines/drips, urinary catheters. If the above three measures are applied consistently and reliably every time healthcare workers care for their patients/residents/client then a significant proportion of HCAIs, including that caused by AMR will be prevented.
As I have stated in the House on previous occasions, the prevention HCAIs and colonisation/infection of patients with antimicrobial-resistant organisms such as MRSA is one of my priorities in protecting patient safety. HCAIs represent a major cause of preventable harm and increased healthcare costs. The prevalence of MRSA has dropped considerably in recent years. There has been a decrease of 62.5% in reported cases of MRSA from 2006 to 2013 and the downward trend appears to be holding for the first quarter of 2014 (figures are provisional).
While I welcome the reducing trend in reported rates of MRSA in Ireland, MRSA rates are comparably high with other countries. We must systematically build our actions and processes to continue to reduce the prevalence of MRSA in Ireland. It must be noted that there are concerns about the rates of resistance of other organisms and ongoing high antimicrobial consumption. The most recent European Antimicrobial Surveillance System Report (EARS - Net) for Quarter 1, 2014 was published on June 25th. The full Report is available at http://www.hpsc.ie/hpsc/A-Z/MicrobiologyAntimicrobialResistance/EuropeanAntimicrobialResistanceSurveillanceSystemEARSS/EARSSSurveillanceReports/2014Reports/.
In December last I launched and endorsed the second National Clinical Guideline, Prevention and Control Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This National Clinical Guideline provides practical guidance on prevention and control measures for MRSA to improve patient care, minimise patient morbidity and mortality and to help contain healthcare costs. The guideline has been developed for all healthcare staff involved in the care of patients, residents or clients who may be at risk of or may have MRSA in acute hospitals, obstetrics and neonates, nursing homes/long stay residential units and the community. A third national Guideline on Surveillance, Diagnosis and Management of Clostridium difficile Infection in Ireland was launched in June 2014.
I might add that I have ensured that Patient Safety has been made a priority within the HSE's Annual Service Plan through specific measures focused on quality and patient safety including HCAIs, Medication safety and implementation of Early Warning Score systems. My officials meet the HSE each month on the Service Plan and patient safety is a standing item on that agenda.
530. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant positions vacant as of 25 June 2014 in each public and voluntary hospital; the number of these positions currently being filled by locums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28253/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra531. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of senior house officer positions vacant as of 25 June 2014 in each public and voluntary hospital; the number of these positions currently being filled by locums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28254/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra532. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of registrar positions vacant as of 25 June 2014 in each public and voluntary hospital; the number of these positions currently being filled by locums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28255/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra533. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of staff nurse positions vacant as of 25 June 2014 in each public and voluntary hospital; the number of these positions currently being filled by locums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28256/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 530 to 533, inclusive, together.
As these questions relate to an operational matter, I have referred them to the HSE for direct reply.
534. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will have their medical card reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28257/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the context of the Government's decision to develop a policy framework for providing eligibility for health services on the basis of medical conditions, the Government recently announced that a medical card or GP visit card is to be issued to a person, with a serious illness, whose discretionary card was refused renewal since the centralisation of medical card assessments. If the medical card or GP visit card to which the Deputy refers was awarded by way of discretion and was refused renewal in the period from 1 July 2011 to 31 May 2014 following the completion of an eligibility review, a card will issue by the HSE.
The HSE has commenced issuing letters to the persons concerned and this process should be concluded by the first two weeks of July. No action is required on the part of those affected as the HSE will be in contact. If people do not hear from the HSE by mid July, they should contact the HSE on its Lo-Call contact number: 1890 25 29 19. These individuals will be able to access medical card and GP visit card services in the normal manner when they have been advised by the HSE that their medical card or GP visit card is active.
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine the specific query raised and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
535. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if, as per his announcement recently that all discretionary medical cards removed under review since June, 2011 will be reinstated, if his instructions have been formally forwarded to PCRS as they seem to be unaware of how and when this process will commence; the process involved; if some discretionary cards will not be reinstated; if not the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28275/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has authorised the HSE to issue cards to people who held a medical or GP visit card, issued on a discretionary basis to a person with a serious medical condition, and where the card renewal was refused having completed an eligibility review between 1 July 2011 to 31 May 2014. The HSE has commenced issuing letters to the persons concerned and this process should be concluded by the first two weeks of July.
The issuing of cards to persons affected is based on the following criteria:
- A person must have held a medical or GP visit card during that period, issued on a discretionary basis, but had it withdrawn on foot of a completed eligibility review;
- They must have completed the review process during that period i.e. provided the information and documentation required to assess their eligibility;
- They must have a serious medical condition which required that their case was referred to a Medical Officer as a part of the review process.
It is anticipated that over 15,000 cards will issue to people with serious medical conditions as part of this process. However, until the HSE has completed its examination on a case by case basis, it is not possible to provide a definitive figure.
Furthermore, it is also recognised that a small number of individuals may not have been able to complete their review during this period due to circumstances relating to their medical condition, e.g., hospitalisation during treatment, change of residence during treatment. Therefore, the Director General of the HSE may act, on his own initiative, to take account of an ad misericordiam appeal (an appeal “to pity”) on a case by case basis to issue a discretionary card to such a person that has a serious medical condition.
537. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the waiting list times for children to access allergy testing and consultation; the locations around the State where such services are available; if he will provide general figures indicating the numbers of persons seeking treatment for food allergy related conditions over the past ten years; if there have been increases in the number of cases of potentially life-threatening food allergies in that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28280/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnaphylactic shock due to adverse food reaction is not covered by registration or notification. Hence, the detailed data on prevalence by county, age and gender requested by the Deputy is not available. Statistics on the numbers of people diagnosed with anaphylactic shock due to adverse food reaction are also not routinely available. The available data relates to episodes of hospitalisation from these conditions and this information is presented in the table below. The data are derived from the Hospital In-patient Enquiry (HIPE) system which records details on each in-patient and daycase discharge from all publicly-funded acute hospitals. It should be noted that if a patient is admitted more than once for a specific condition, each admission is counted separately in HIPE. For this reason, the figures should not be interpreted as prevalence estimates for these conditions (data for 2013 are provisional).
|
Year |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013* |
|
Anaphylactic shock due to adverse food reaction |
44 |
33 |
45 |
43 |
58 |
55 |
60 |
63 |
62 |
65 |
*As the remaining queries raised by the Deputy are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to her directly.
538. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare to attend Croom Hospital, County Limerick. [28291/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraShould a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In relation to the specific hospital appointment query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
539. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card review in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [28298/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
540. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) with Down's syndrome will not have their medical card reinstated having lost it under review in January 2014. [28300/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the context of the Government's decision to develop a policy framework for providing eligibility for health services on the basis of medical conditions, the Government recently announced that a medical card or GP visit card is to be issued to a person, with a serious illness, whose discretionary card was refused renewal since the centralisation of medical card assessments. If the medical card or GP visit card to which the Deputy refers was awarded by way of discretion and was refused renewal in the period from 1 July 2011 to 31 May 2014 following the completion of an eligibility review, a card will issue by the HSE.
The HSE has commenced the process of identifying and contacting persons to advise them that their medical cards and GP visit cards will issue. The HSE has commenced issuing letters to the persons concerned and this process should be concluded by the first two weeks of July. No action is required on the part of those affected as the HSE will be in contact. If people do not hear from the HSE by mid July, they should contact the HSE on its Lo-Call contact number: 1890 25 29 19. These individuals will be able to access medical card and GP visit card services in the normal manner when they have been advised by the HSE that their medical card or GP visit card is active.
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine the specific query raised and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
